Some Hardwick residents ask selectmen to pull the reins on horse breeding, racing facility

Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health, spoke at the hearing on the proposed horse center in Hardwick.
Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health, spoke at the hearing on the proposed horse center in Hardwick.

HARDWICK - While Richard Fields spoke of his dream to site a thoroughbred race horse breeding, racing and retirement facility on Upper Church Street, some residents told selectmen that if Fields' dream were to come true, it would ruin theirs.

At a public hearing Monday before selectmen, Fields and his business partner Robin Kalaidjian, described how they hope to develop a thoroughbred breeding program at Great Meadowbrook Farm, 228 Barre Road.

Fields agreed, if the proposal comes to fruition, to pay the town $500,000 annually through a payment in lieu of taxes program and could negotiate other benefits with Hardwick officials as a host community agreement is worked out.

More: Is Hardwick poised to become horse-racing capital of Massachusetts?

But once again, plans for the former dairy farm's transformation aren't sitting well with everyone.

Several months ago, residents clapped back at developers, including Worcester Chef Weidong "Wilson" Wang of Baba Sushi, after they proposed a marijuana farm called Zen Acres, at the site. Wang's group scaled back their project amidst the negative feedback, but residents still vowed to fight.

Then came word that Wang's group was considering selling and Fields' group, Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center, was interested.

Commonwealth received a warm welcome in Hardwick with some local officials agreeing that the plan was more palatable than the Zen Acres option.

Richard Fields and Robin Kalaidjian, managing partners in Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center, at a public hearing on their proposed thoroughbred horse breeding, racing and retirement facility Monday.
Richard Fields and Robin Kalaidjian, managing partners in Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center, at a public hearing on their proposed thoroughbred horse breeding, racing and retirement facility Monday.

But Monday, those opposed spoke out at a public hearing asking selectmen to slow the process or reject the siting of the track in town altogether.

Roger Raymond of Upper Church Street said he fears traffic will be increased and drivers will be irresponsible, perhaps crashing cars near his property and injuring his family.

"We came here for our dreams, too," he said.

Elizabeth Cyran, a horse owner from town, said there is "an ugly part of horse racing" that includes doping of animals and jockeys who use "cocaine and marijuana" and links to organized crime. She said horses are often sold to slaughter and she suspects owners would find ways around Fields' strict rules regarding those sales.

Fields has banned horse owners from Suffolk Downs where he was an owner, after they were caught selling animals for slaughter, he said.

There were questions about parking, how many attendees would be at the site on race days and whether there would be alcohol served. Some doubted the plan would generate $500,000 annually, though Fields promised that PILOT money would be paid.

Income on the property would be generated, in part, through race days which the group estimates would amount to two in 2023 and probably wouldn't ever reach 20 events per year, though that is the state's goal for all racing facilities.

A decade from now they might host three or four festivals, the group said.

"There just aren't enough horses," Fields said.

Fields said races would be held on a grass track and there would be few changes to the site, which also comprises land along Upper Church Street totally just under 360 acres.

The food trucks and other amenities needed for race days would be moved into place for the festival days and quickly moved out, returning the area to the way it was prior to the races. While the farm property is in an agricultural preservation restriction, the group plans to buy land from other private parties to accommodate parking.

A pavilion would be built for farmers markets, youth agricultural and community events, Fields said, adding that he plans to support agriculture in the classroom and, if he opens a farm-to-table restaurant, there could be culinary arts training, as well.

Fields serves on the board of Farm Aid with singers Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

Dr. Eric Dickson of UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, a horse owner, said he hopes the group would develop an equine rescue and/or support local horse rescues, something he appeared passionate about. The following correction was published: Dr. Eric Dickson of UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, who is affiliated with the Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center, is a resident of Princeton. A story in the Thursday T&G about a public hearing in Hardwick on the thoroughbred horse breeding, racing and retirement facility gave an incorrect hometown. 

Kalaidjian said working with horses who are retired from the track is one of her passions and she hopes to help rehabilitate such horses, which she calls equine athletes, into new endeavors.

Residents urged selectmen to carefully consider the proposal which, though it must receive annual licensing, they called irreversible.

Julie Quink, chair of selectmen, said that while there could be a vote as early as Tuesday, the matter could also be put off indefinitely. The town's lawyer was present was would be doing some research based on some of the question posed Monday, she said.

The hearing was slated to continue Tuesday night.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Some Hardwick residents not keen on horse project at Great Meadowbrook.